A Lesson in Time: Making Tools from Stone

Anthropologist and archaeologist Harry Oda, who teaches at Pierce College, was at the Gig Harbor Library Saturday hosting a hands-on demonstration on flintknapping, the art of making stone tools. The classes proved popular for old and young alike, as those in attendance chipped away ay pieces of obsidian — volcanic glass — in shaping a variety of tools such as knife edges, cutters and arrowheads – much live the natives did thousands of years ago in the Pacific Northwest. Oda, who has traveled the world and worked at dig sites from Sequim to Israel, provided the step-by-step instructions to a male-dominated audience. The irony, Oda said, is that 85 percent of the stone tools and implements found at archaeological sites were crafted by women.

Flintknapper expert Harry Oda’s hands are grizzled and weathered with time, but can still expertly craft a Hoko knife similar to those found around 4,000 years ago near present day Sequim. The Hoko knife was a small sliver of stone set between two ends of a piece of wood bent in half and held in place with some softened sinew. Oda said such a knife was common for filleting halibut.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Joshua Beard, 7, of Gig Harbor was one of the younger participants of the flintknapping class.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

One of the cutting tools crafted from obsidian by a class participant. Gloves were an essential for the class due to the extremely sharp edges of the materials.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Jennifer Beard of Gig Harbor get some advice from class instructor Harry Oda of Lakewood.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Many obsidian chips were made available for class use, as were several larger stones.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

The hands of a master, Harry Oda, works to refine an arrowhead edge as part of the demonstration.

As his grandfather, Bob Roslie of Gig Harbor looks on, Luke Klutchko, 76, of Parkland works to shape a stone. Roslie said the two of them were looking forward to attending this class for three weeks.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Silverdale resident Carl Robinson is impressed with the fine cutting edge of a piece of obsidian. So much so he shaved some of his arm hair off with it and in the process drew some blood when he nicked his arm.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Flintknapping participants sat in a wide circle atop a mat covered with stones chips while instructor Harry Oda, left, made a variety of tools.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

From left, Silverdale residents Linda Mathews, and Bea and Carl Robinson each work their own stones.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Harry Oda creates sparks by striking a piece of bridge flint with another stone.